Freight crime is costing the UK economy £700m a year - what can we do about it?

Freight-crime-1 LBV.png.png

Freight crime is on the rise, costing the UK economy an estimated £700 million in 2023, according to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Freight and Logistics. This isn’t just about lost revenues - it also includes VAT and insurance costs, impacting drivers, operators, and the entire supply chain.

A call for industry action 

At Fagan & Whalley, we recognise the need for urgent, collective action. This crisis threatens driver safety, compromises cargo security, and undermining the resilience of the UK’s logistics operations. 

The logistics industry is known for its resilience, but freight crime demands more than just endurance - it requires proactive measures to protect people, goods, and the future of our sector. 

This month, we’re delving into what freight crime involves, its impact on the industry, and the steps needed to combat it.

Understanding freight crime

Freight crime refers to the unlawful targeting of goods during transportation or storage. This includes theft from vehicles, trailers, and warehouses, fuel theft, tampering with shipments, and organised attacks on logistics operations.

Alarmingly, these crimes don’t just occur when drivers are forced to park in unsecured locations due to limited safe parking options - they also happen in supposedly ‘secure’ facilities. This highlights the pressing need for improved and reliable security measures.

The scale of the problem

According to a study by The Road Haulage Association (RHA) published in 2024, there were 5,370 reported incidents of HGV and cargo crime in 2023 - a five per cent increase from the previous year. Additionally, incidents at motorway services rose by 59 per cent. These figures likely underestimate the problem, as many incidents go unreported.

The financial impact on logistics

Freight crime isn’t just a security issue - it’s a financial burden. In 2023 alone:

- £68.3 million worth of goods were stolen. 
- The total cost to the UK economy was approximately £700 million. 
- Since 2020, the cost of freight crime has exceeded £1 billion.

These losses are compounded by rising insurance premiums, costly delays, and the need for enhanced security measures, putting immense financial pressure on logistics companies. For smaller firms, a single incident can be devastating.

 The hidden cost for HGV drivers

The impact of freight crime extends beyond financial losses. It also affects the well-being of HGV drivers, who often face unsafe conditions due to a shortage of secure parking facilities. This lack of infrastructure leaves drivers vulnerable to organised crime, affecting their safety and job satisfaction.

Working towards a solution

Despite the challenges, Fagan & Whalley remains optimistic. Recent developments, including a call from MPs for stronger measures against freight crime, indicate progress.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) continues to advocate for better support, securing £100 million in investment for truck parking and establishing a task force to address security gaps.

For more information on this topic visit the Fagan & Whalley website to see what we’re doing about freight crime within our industry. Alternatively, call us on 01282 771983

Enjoyed this? Read more from Fagan & Whalley Limited

Latest news

1

Bellway to build 183 high quality new homes Royal Bowland Park street scene NEW.jpg.jpg

Bellway to build 183 high quality new homes

29 Oct 2025

2

University of Lancashire recognised for entrepreneurship and supporting business growth - Representatives from the University's Business School, local SMEs and the IOEE

University of Lancashire recognised for entrepreneurship and supporting business growth

29 Oct 2025

3

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire BAE Typhoon ECRS Mk2 Radar

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire

28 Oct 2025

4

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold The Mill at Conder Green

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold

28 Oct 2025

5

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm PM+M promotions

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm

27 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event
Holiday Inn Hotel
Networking
28 Oct 2025 - 18 Nov 2025

November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event

Holiday Inn, Blackpool

16:46 - 16:45

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The AI Lab: E-commerce
Ai Lab ecommerce (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin